Digital transformation has become a defining priority for governments worldwide. As public institutions navigate rapid technological change, the need for strategic leadership, institutional readiness, and citizen‑centred innovation has never been more urgent. The Hague Academy for Local Governance addresses this global demand through its intensive, practice‑oriented course: Digital Transformation in the Public Sector, taking place from 16–20 November 2026 in The Hague, Netherlands.
This in‑depth programme equips public sector professionals with the knowledge, tools, and leadership skills required to design, implement, and sustain digital reforms that enhance governance, transparency, and citizen engagement.
Course Overview
Governments increasingly recognise the transformative potential of digitalisation. However, true digital transformation extends far beyond adopting new technologies. It requires:
- Institutional capacity
- Policy coherence
- Ethical data governance
- Organisational change management
- Cross‑sector collaboration
- A culture of innovation
This course supports professionals from government institutions, development organisations, and innovation units to understand and shape digital transformation in their own contexts. Through expert‑led sessions, peer learning, and field visits to pioneering Dutch institutions, participants explore how digitalisation can strengthen governance, improve public services, and foster citizen participation.
What Participants Will Learn
The programme covers a wide range of themes essential for modern public administration, including:
- Organisational change management
- Responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence
- Data‑driven decision‑making
- Public data ethics
- Cybersecurity resilience
- Governance models for digital transformation
- Citizen‑centred service design
- Institutional culture and innovation
Participants engage in hands‑on exercises, real‑world case studies, and collaborative action planning to apply these concepts to their own institutions.
Key Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Conduct a digital maturity assessment of their organisation and identify priority areas for improvement.
- Integrate policy considerations for designing inclusive, accessible, and citizen‑responsive digital public services.
- Apply change management strategies to lead digital reform within public institutions.
- Use data‑driven approaches to strengthen policy development and service delivery.
- Analyse ethical and legal dimensions of AI and identify success factors for responsible AI adoption in the public sector.
- Develop a practical action plan to implement digital transformation initiatives in their home institutions.
Course Structure and Experience
The training programme is highly interactive and grounded in real‑world practice. Participants engage in:
- Self‑assessments
- Group discussions
- Peer‑to‑peer learning
- Collaborative exercises
- Field visits to Dutch institutions leading in digital governance
Previous course visits included:
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management Participants explored how the ministry enhances online citizen participation in infrastructure projects.
- Utrecht Data Walking Tour A hands‑on experience demonstrating how municipal data is used to improve public services.
- Municipality of The Hague Visits to innovation teams to understand how data improves operational efficiency and service design.
Key Information
- Course Dates: 16–20 November 2026
- Location: The Hague, Netherlands
- Course Fee: €2,950 (includes training materials, drinks, and warm lunches)
- Discounts: Available for groups of three or more
- Certificate: Participants receive a professional certificate from The Hague Academy
- Reduced Fee: Available for professionals from DAC‑listed ODA‑recipient countries
Scholarship Opportunity
A fully funded scholarship is available for municipal professionals:
- Under the age of 38
- From countries on the DAC list of ODA‑recipient nations
- Working in local government
- Passionate about driving digital innovation
Application Deadline: 15 July 2026
Experts Involved
The course features leading experts in digital governance, including:
- Dr. Dara Sherwani Acting Head of Information Science, American University of Kurdistan. Researches user trust in online content and predictive social media behaviours.
- Shahenda ElNaggar Programme Manager at The Hague Academy, specialising in digital governance and public policy in the MENA region.
- Jèron Perus Strategic Advisor at the Dutch National Office for Identity Data, responsible for safeguarding citizen data.
Practical Information
Participants can access additional details on:
- Payment
- Visa applications
- Cancellation policies
- Course brochure download
Apply here
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